Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00064
The Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), under its International Affairs Program. It is designed to fund targeted, on-the-ground projects that produce measurable results for wildlife conservation by reducing illegal trade in threatened species and strengthening the ability of countries to carry out the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In practical terms, the program is aimed at stopping poaching and trafficking networks that are driving vulnerable species closer to extinction while also improving the long-term systems (laws, enforcement, and scientific management) that make CITES effective.
The grant is framed around the reality that wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar global crime, often tied to corruption and sophisticated transnational criminal networks. Beyond the direct loss of animals and plants from the wild, the trade undermines national security and governance, damages natural resources, and harms local communities that could otherwise benefit from legal, sustainable use of wildlife or from tourism. USFWS plays a central role in this space because it serves as the U.S. Management and Scientific Authority for CITES, the main global treaty intended to ensure international trade in wild species does not threaten their survival. A major emphasis of this funding opportunity is helping CITES Parties, especially in developing countries and economies in transition, build the capacity to implement and enforce CITES effectively.
Programmatically, funding is intended for projects in relevant supply, transit, and consumer countries that address trafficking of species listed in CITES Appendix I or Appendix II. The opportunity specifically targets species outside the United States that are highly threatened by trafficking but may not attract the level of international attention or resources given to more high-profile cases. While the program is open to a range of eligible CITES-listed species, it highlights priority examples including tortoises and freshwater turtles, big cats (such as lions, leopards including snow and clouded leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs), pangolins, and African grey parrots. Projects are expected to contribute to real reductions in poaching and/or trafficking pressure on these species, rather than simply producing studies or awareness materials without a clear pathway to enforcement or behavior change.
A key factor in how proposals are prioritized is whether they also strengthen the capacity of national CITES Authorities and related institutions. That includes building scientific capacity (such as improved species identification, population or trade monitoring, and non-detriment findings where relevant), management capacity (such as better permit systems, compliance processes, and interagency coordination), and enforcement capacity (such as inspections, investigations, prosecutions support, and detection of violations). The notice also stresses the importance of appropriate national legislation and regulatory frameworks, meaning competitive projects may include efforts to modernize laws, close loopholes, clarify penalties, or otherwise ensure a country has the legal tools required to implement CITES and act on violations.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) categorized under Environment and Natural Resources, CFDA number 15.679. The opportunity number is F19AS00064, with an original posting date of December 18, 2018, and an original closing date of February 19, 2019. The maximum award amount listed is $200,000. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) status); and individuals. Overall, the program is best understood as a focused anti-trafficking conservation tool: it funds practical interventions that reduce illegal trade in CITES-listed species while leaving behind stronger national systems for CITES implementation, enforcement, and long-term wildlife protection.Apply for F19AS00064
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.679.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 18, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 19, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program (USFWS International Affairs) - FAQs
What is the Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program?
The Combating Wildlife Trafficking Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), through its International Affairs Program. It funds targeted, on-the-ground projects intended to produce measurable wildlife conservation results by reducing illegal trade in threatened species and strengthening countries' ability to implement and enforce CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
What problem is this grant designed to address?
The program is designed to combat wildlife trafficking, described as a multibillion-dollar global crime often linked to corruption and sophisticated transnational criminal networks. The illegal trade drives vulnerable species toward extinction and undermines national security and governance, damages natural resources, and harms local communities that could otherwise benefit from legal, sustainable wildlife use or tourism.
What are the main goals of the program?
The main goals are to reduce poaching and trafficking of threatened wildlife and to strengthen long-term national systems that make CITES effective. In practice, this means funding interventions that directly reduce illegal trade pressure and also leave behind stronger laws, enforcement capabilities, and scientific and management systems related to CITES implementation.
What does "measurable results" mean in the context of this program?
Projects are expected to contribute to real reductions in poaching and/or trafficking pressure on targeted species. The opportunity emphasizes practical interventions with a clear pathway to enforcement or behavior change, rather than activities that only produce studies or awareness materials without a direct link to reduced trafficking.
Who administers the program and why is USFWS involved?
The program is administered by USFWS. USFWS plays a central role because it serves as the U.S. Management and Scientific Authority for CITES, the primary global treaty designed to ensure international trade in wild species does not threaten their survival.
What is CITES and how is it connected to this funding?
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This funding opportunity focuses on reducing illegal trade in species listed under CITES and strengthening the ability of CITES Parties (countries that are part of CITES), especially developing countries and economies in transition, to implement and enforce CITES effectively.
Which countries or regions are the focus of supported projects?
Funding is intended for projects in relevant supply, transit, and consumer countries. The focus is on species and trafficking dynamics outside the United States, supporting interventions where illegal trade pressure occurs along the trafficking chain.
What types of species are eligible to be addressed by projects?
Projects must address trafficking of species listed in CITES Appendix I or Appendix II. The opportunity is open to a range of eligible CITES-listed species, particularly those outside the United States that are highly threatened by trafficking.
Does the program focus on any particular species?
Yes. While the program is open to many CITES-listed species, it highlights priority examples including tortoises and freshwater turtles, big cats (such as lions, leopards including snow and clouded leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs), pangolins, and African grey parrots.
Is the program intended only for high-profile wildlife trafficking cases?
No. The opportunity specifically targets species outside the United States that are highly threatened by trafficking but may not receive the same international attention or resources as more high-profile trafficking situations.
What kinds of project approaches are likely to be prioritized?
Proposals are prioritized when they both reduce illegal trade and strengthen national capacity to implement and enforce CITES. The notice highlights strengthening scientific, management, and enforcement capacities, along with improving national legislation and regulatory frameworks where needed.
What does "strengthening CITES capacity" include?
The opportunity describes several capacity areas, including:
- Scientific capacity: improved species identification, population or trade monitoring, and non-detriment findings where relevant
- Management capacity: improved permit systems, compliance processes, and interagency coordination
- Enforcement capacity: inspections, investigations, support for prosecutions, and better detection of violations
Can projects include work on national laws and regulations?
Yes. The notice stresses the importance of appropriate national legislation and regulatory frameworks. Competitive projects may include efforts to modernize laws, close loopholes, clarify penalties, or otherwise ensure a country has the legal tools needed to implement CITES and take action on violations.
What types of activities are less aligned with the program emphasis?
The program emphasizes that projects should not merely produce studies or awareness materials without a clear pathway to enforcement or behavior change. Activities are expected to connect clearly to reducing poaching and/or trafficking pressure and/or strengthening CITES systems that support real-world enforcement and compliance.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the program area or category for this grant?
The opportunity is categorized under Environment and Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 15.679.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is F19AS00064.
What are the original posting and closing dates?
The opportunity was originally posted on December 18, 2018, and the original closing date was February 19, 2019.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount listed is $200,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); and individuals.
Is this opportunity limited to nonprofit organizations?
No. Eligibility is broad and includes multiple government entities, higher education institutions (public and private), nonprofits (with and without 501(c)(3) status), and individuals.
What is the overall purpose of the program in practical terms?
In practical terms, the program supports focused anti-trafficking conservation actions that disrupt poaching and trafficking networks affecting CITES-listed species, while also improving the long-term systems (laws, enforcement, scientific and management capacity) that enable countries to implement CITES effectively and protect wildlife over time.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (F19AS00064) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Marine Turtle Conservation Fund and Combating Wildlife Trafficking Strategy and Partnerships Program Apply for F19AS00065 Funding Number: F19AS00065 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Marine Turtle Conservation Fund and Combating Wildlife Trafficking Strategy adn Partnerships Program Apply for F19AS00072 Funding Number: F19AS00072 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Combating Wildlife Trafficking Apply for F19AS00071 Funding Number: F19AS00071 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| NAWCA 2020 Mexico Standard Grant Apply for F19AS00095 Funding Number: F19AS00095 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Science Support to Assist the Desert LCC Science Working Group and Landscape Conservation Design Teams Apply for F19AS00107 Funding Number: F19AS00107 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| Desert Southwest CESU (DS-CESU) Sky Island Alliance Single Source Award Apply for F19AS00104 Funding Number: F19AS00104 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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| Assessment of Population, Reproductive, and Health Impairments in Colonial Waterbirds Breeding in Michigan's Areas of Concern and Grand Traverse Bay Apply for F19AS00110 Funding Number: F19AS00110 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $275,641 |
| 2019 State Interstate Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan Grant Program Apply for F19AS00117 Funding Number: F19AS00117 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Apply for F19AS00118 Funding Number: F19AS00118 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program Apply for F19AS00132 Funding Number: F19AS00132 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Traditional Conservation Grants Apply for F19AS00134 Funding Number: F19AS00134 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Apply for F19AS00138 Funding Number: F19AS00138 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $268,000 |
| Department of the Interior, United States (U.S.) Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Birds-Joint Ventures Apply for F19AS00140 Funding Number: F19AS00140 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment, Natural Resources Funding Amount: $702,000 |
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